News Travel

21 Feb

Traveling Solo to Gili Trawangan

Traveling alone can be one of life’s most exhilarating experiences yet many people worry about it. Concerns can range from personal safety, to boredom and not having anyone to talk to. Whether you’ve traveled alone before or are planning a first solo trip, the island of Gili Trawangan off of the Indonesian island of Lombok is a fantastic place to go. Read on to find out why you shouldn’t worry at all about traveling solo to the Gili Trawangan.

Getting there

Getting to the Gilis is simple from Bali. Tons of fast boat companies run the 2-hour route to Gili Trawangan morning and afternoon. And there are always travelers of every age, budget, and nationality to chat to on board. Backpackers, luxury travelers, families, and locals use the fast boats to get to the islands.

If you choose to fly, it’s just a 30-minute flight from Bali to Lombok’s international airport. You then have a 1-hour drive and a short boat hop over to Gili Trawangan. If you’re staying at Villa Almarik this will all be arranged for you. If not, you are sure to meet other travelers you can split a car with from the airport to the harbor.

Is it safe?

Despite having very little police presence, Gili Trawangan is very safe. The village patrols and tourist businesses make sure that tourists and locals are well looked after.

There are many solo travelers, as well as groups of friends traveling together in the Gilis, so meeting people is never a problem. It is a very friendly scene where people eat, drink and enjoy the beaches together.

Villa Almarik also has security and asks guests to let reception know if they are going snorkeling, swimming, or out for the night. Of course you should never go snorkeling alone no matter how close to the beach you are. We have some guidelines for safe snorkeling in this article: Snorkeling Safely Around Gili Trawangan.

What is there to do alone?

Gili Trawangan is heaven for people who like to spend some time alone. You can walk or ride a bicycle along the jungle and beach paths, sunbathe, read books, and swim during the day. Catch up on restful sleep in your comfy room at Villa Almarik at night.

You can eat on the beachside at Villa Almarik or stroll down the road to the night market to try some local delicacies. If you enjoy music and getting out at night, there are plenty of friendly bars on the main strip that you can stop in at for a drink and a dance.

Diving without buddies?

Diving may not seem like a sport for solo travelers, but in fact it’s one of the best! Divers from all over the world share camaraderie like no others. They always have things to talk about and will generally be happy to get a group together to dive and hang out afterwards.

Gangga Divers at Villa Almarik has professional instructors that revel in and encourage this friendly atmosphere. And of course dive instructors will always make up the numbers if there aren’t enough dive buddies to go around.

Do you love solo travel?

Solo travel can take you out of your comfort zone, make you more confident, and of course lead you to new experiences and friends. The Gili Islands are small and manageable, extremely friendly, and very safe. Does this sound like the perfect solo trip for you? Let us know what you would like to do all alone on the Gili Islands in the comments below.